Electrical actuating means for serial notching cards



Noy. 4, 1941. r c, ANDREWS 2,261,710

ELECTRICAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR SERIAL NOTCHING CARDS INV ENTOR.

7210/14/15 Co/.EMAN ANDREW:

BYw/QAZ n TTORNE Y Nov. 4, 1941. T. c. ANDREWS 2,251,710

ELECTRICAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR SERIAL NOTCHING CARDS Filed Aug. l5, 1940R. m m V W.

BY y Tuo/was Ca/.EMAN ANDREWS ATTORNEY Nov. 4, 1941. T. c. ANDREWSELECTRICAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR SERIAL NOTCHING CARDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Aug. 13, 1940 .W @Px INVENTOR,

From/:s CaLzMAN ANDREWS A TTRNE Y Nov. 4, 1941. T. c. ANDREWS 2,261,710

ELECTRICAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR SERIAL NOTCHING CARDS Filed Aug. l5, 19404 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. foM/as COLEMAN ANbRE ws BY v ATTORNEYmanufactured for the trade by printing and Patented. Nov. 4, 1941 iUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL ACTUATIN G MEANS FOR SERIALNOTCHING CARDS Thomas Coleman Andrews, Richmond, Va.. Application August13, 1940, Serial No. 352,456

13 Claims.

My invention relates to certain improvements in a machine forautomatically printing a number upon a sheet or web of material andpunching such material to represent a value corresponding to the printednumber. In fact, this invention may be said to constitute a. continua?tion-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 256,674, filed onFebruary 16, 1939 now Patent No. 2,211,310, August 13, 1940. As setforth in the said application, such machines are well adapted foroperation on a card of the type known in the trade as Keysort,manufactured and sold by The McBee Company, of Athens, Ohio, underPerkins Patents No. 1,544,172 and Cards of this type are usuallypunching them with a series of perforations by the aid of which they maybe sorted in accrdance with their numerical sequence, a particularnumerical representation beingV made by removing a portion of the cardbetween certain of the holes and the adjacent-edge or edges of the cardasA the case may be.

The preformed perforations of these cards may be divided into groups,for example, four of such perforations in each subdivision or group.Such a group will then be utilized to represent each numerical digit, i.e., units, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands,etc. In each subdivision, the four holes or perforations may representthe values 7, 4, 2 and 1 respectively. The printed and perforated cardsare then notched to open one or more of these holes to an adjacent edgefor indicating the numerals from 1 to 9 in a manner-Which will beapparent from the disclosures referred to in the foregoing. Heretofore,cards of this kind have been perforated and printed for distribution andthen manually notched by the user, the value of the entire system thusdepending largely upon the care and ability of the operator to performthis notching operation correctly.

Whereas the present invention is applicable to cards of the type alreadydescribed, it is equally suited for use with cards having the punchingperformed entirely within the bodies thereof and which will therebyavoid the danger of tearing or bending the tongues which are formedwhere adjacent perforations of the cards are notched. And, as a matterof fact, in its broader aspects, this invention is adapted for punchingof various types of materials for more general purposes.

The objects of my invention include the -following: to provide a machineto automatically print and notch or punch in proper relation andsequence, cards of the Keysort type; the provision of relay or remotemeans, which may comprise a cam, for energizing the punch control means;the punch control means may bee1ec` tromagnetic or fluid operated, andthe relay or remote 'means in the form of an electric switch or lfluidvalve; the fluid operated embodiments may employ liquids, vapors orgases, under suitable pressures either above or below atmosphericpressure, the punch control means is preferably periodic and timed withrespect to means for feeding the work to be punched, the punch controlmeans preferably selects and/or actuates the punch or punches inaccordance with a predetermined sequence.

With these objects in view, and others which will appear from thehereinafter contained description, the invention consists 'in certainnovel features of construction and combination of parts, the essentialelements of which are set lforth inthe appended claims. l

My means of accomplishing the foregoing obmatic longitudinal sectionshowing one embodiment, `taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 1 with the frameoutlined in broken lines;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 3, showing amodification;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation depicting another modiiication; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan View showing a control element for use witharrangements such as those shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

As shown in the drawings, my automatic numbering and notching machine isprovided with a casing having opposed side frames 20 and 22 which areheld in spaced relationship by two straps 24 and 26 attached thereto inany convenient manner. A suitable cover, not shown,

may be provided for the mechanism, in which case the cover can rest on aseat suitably fashioned in the side frames and may be fastened thereto.The entire machine may be portable, and, if desired, supported upon adesk or table, or readily stored when not in use.

Operating power is furnished by an electric motor 28, shown as supportedby a shelf 30 under the machine, although, if desired, it may be4mounted elsewhere with respect to the operating mechanism. Conductors 3|are depicted as leading to a switch 33 which is in tum connected to asource of current for supplying the motor.

It will be understood, of course, that otherV driving means may beemployed, if desired.

i Feeding mechanism On one end of the shaft of the motor 28, I

mount a pulley 32 over which a belt 34 is trained for transmittingtorque to another pulley 36 secured to a feed driving shaft 38. Theshaft 38 carries several driving pulleys 40, which in coopreration witha similar number of idler pulleys 42 the work has been completed.

work. Aften a card has received its printed number by the printingmechanism 84, continued rotation of the eccentric. 64 will move the stop12 downwardly and out of the path oftravel of the card, which will thenbe carried forward into position below the punch or punches 86 for thenotching of the card. By this time the eccentric will have revolved soas to bring the stop 18 into the path of travel of the card, againstwhich it will be held until the notching operation has been performed,whereupon, continued rotation of the eccentric will move the stop 18downwardly out of the path of travel of the card which will then becarried on and deposited in a pile or received by a suitable container.It will be clear that the two stops are thus synchronized to moveupwardly and downwardly in unison as the eccentric 54 is revolved. Themovement of ,A the stops is eiected in timed relationship with re- Thebelts 46 are made relatively narrow so that when one of the cards- 48 isbrought to a position of rest for effecting a numbering or notchingoperation, the belts will slip beneath it, permitting the card to remainstationary without subjecting it or the belts to undue friction or wear.Under some circumstances, it may be found that the pressure caused bythe printing of the numbers on the cards Ior notching them, tends tointerfere with the continuous movement of the belts. In such cases, thebelts may be trained over and under idler rollers 50 to reduce frictionat the points of dwell and thereby permit continuous rotation. Asclearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, when such rollers areemployed, a portion of the die block adjacent to the belts must be cutaway. Any two of the belts 46 will provide `sufficient frictionalengagement to carry thecard or other work across the cut-away portion,and accordingly the rollers and belts are so arranged that the desiredresults are achieved.

Interruption of the feed of the cards or other work occurs at two pointsin the machine; one below the elements for printing the numbers, and theother below the punches for notching or otherwise punching the card witha representation corresponding to the number applied by the printingelements. The required interruptions may be effected by an eccentricdrive such as that shown in the drawings wherein a .shaft 52, suitablyrotated, has an eccentric 54 secured thereto for cooperation with astrap 56 carried by the end of an eccentric rod 58. The opposite end ofthe rod 58 is provided with a pin 60, pivotally articulating it to apair of levers 62 and 64. The levers are provided with pivots 66 and 68respectively, carried by the side frames. The opposite end-of the lever62 is pivotally connected by a pin to a reciprocating stop 12 whichoperates in suitable guides 14 to project periodically above the surfaceof the table 16 into the path of travel of the cards 48 to serve as atemporary abutment therefor, restraining them from further forwardmovement until the numbering operation has been completed. A similarstop 18 is arranged in a position to serve as a temporary abutment forthe cards during the punching operation. This stop 18 is pivotallyconnected to one end of lever 64 by means of a pin 80, through which thestop is periodically reciprocated in its guides 82 to project above thetable 16 into the path of the cards or other spect to the numberingmechanism 84 which is driven by a train of gears from the motor 28. Themotor shaft carries another pulley 86, which drives through a chain orbelt 88, a sprocket or pulley carried by a shaft 32. At one side of theframe, the shaft 82 carries a spur 94 which through similar gears 86 and98, drives the shaft of the printing and numbering mechanism 84.

The punching mechanism On the other side of the frame and secured to theshaft 02, a gear |00 is provided which meshes with a gear |02 mounted ona shaft |04 carrying a gear |06 as well. The gear |06 is arranged tomesh with a gear |08 which is secured to the eccentric shaft 52.

f As clearly set forth in my Patent No. 2,211,310, a gang of punches 86will be provided, which in the case of Perkins cards of the typereferred to using the 7-4--2-1 system of punching, will be operatedgroups of fromone to three for representing each digit. -As depicted inFigs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, each punch 86 is supported from apunch lever ||0 by a pivot pin H2. The punches and their levers arenormally maintained out of the path of the work by coil springs ||4suspended from the frame by suitable hooks H6. The lower ends of thesprings are flexibly connected to the punch levers at their left ends asviewed in the drawings, and it is necessary to overcome the bias ofthese springs to displace the punches into the path of the work forcompleting a punching operation. The punch levers are suitably pivoted,as by a rod I|8 mounted in the fame. A punch lever guide |20, which mayassume the form of a comb is also supported by the frame. The principaldifferences of the present invention over that of my copendingapplication reside in the manner of selecting and actuating the punchesto operate in the proper sequence.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the operation ofthe punches is conelectromagnet through a lead |36. The other en`d ofthewinding is connected to the current source by a suitable lead |38.

A cam carrying wheelsl40 driven by shaft 82 in synchronism with theprinting device and feed mechanism, serves to open and close theswitches |28 to complete the circuits of the electromagnets |26 in timedrelationship with the other operations and thereby displace the properpunch or punches into the path of the work to punch out the material andrepresent the values in correspondence with those which have beenprinted. As will be readily understood from a knowledge of my copendingapplication already alluded to, the numeral l will be punched when asingle cam |42 on the wheel |40 deflects the contact piece |44 of thearm |32 and completes the circuit of the electromagnet |26 controllingthe lever carrying the punch which produces the 1 representation.Similarly, the next cam in order will close only the switch controllingthe 2 punch. The next position of the wheel brings two cams intoposition to close the switches representing "2" and 1. Then the 4 switchwill be closed by a single cam. Following this, the cams representing 4"and l will close their switches; after which cams 4 and 2 becomeeffective; then the cam for '7; then 7 and 1; next "7 and 2; and finallya blank portion of the wheel comes into position below the switches torepresent zero.

By this time, a complete revolution of the wheel |40, in a manner fullydisclosed in my copending application, will advance the cam wheelrepresenting the next digit through an angle of 36 ing magnets throughelectrical or mechanical relays.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings contemplates control ofthe punches by a preformed pattern produced on or in a. web of material.The punches themselves and their operating levers are essentially likethose described with reference to Fig. 3. In this case however,

the punches and their levers are actuated by compressed air acting upona piston. The extension |22 of the lever ||0 is coupled by a suitable'clip |52 and pivot |54 to a rod |56 carrying a piston |58. The pistonis received in a cylinder |60, the lower end of which is connected by afluid line |62 with a port |64 whose communication with a compressed airmanifold |66 is controlled by the pre-perforated web |68. The web iswound upon a core |10 carried by the shaft 92 which is synchronized withthe feed and numbering mechanisms. The web is unwound from a core |12which is mounted upon a spindle |14. The piston is biased towards itslower position as shown in the drawings by a coil spring |16. A flapvalve |18 is provided in the piston to close when a charge of air isdirected against it from the manifold and to open when the supply is cutoff. When the piston is forced upwardly to deflect the lever anddisplace the punch into the path of the work, an aperture |80 in thecylinder casing permits the system to breathe.

The manner inwhich the control web or relay web may be perforated isillustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The lowermost perforation showncontrols the connection between manifold and the uid line to the pistonfor actuating the "1 punch. The next perforation controls the 2 punchmechanism. The following two perforations control the 1 and "2" punchmechanisms, and so on. The reels for the pattern web are shown more orless diagrammatically, since it must be remembered that somecompensation is necessary for the increasing diameter of the web as itwinds about the core |10. Suitable provision may be made by interposingfeed rollers to render uniform the speedof the web passing the manifold;or the speed of the shaft 02 may be graduated to suit the increasingdiameter; or the spacing of the perforationsv in the web itself may bevaried to the same effect.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings is identical with thatof Fig. 4 except for the fact that the manifold |66 is connected to asuction line, and accordingly the line |62 is connected to the top ofthe cylinder |60 instead of to the base thereof. Its mode of operationwill be evident to those skilled in the art.

With the modifications of Figs. 4 and 5, the pattern webs and fluidports may be considered relays for controlling the pistons |58, oralternatively, relays may be interposed if and where desired to giveincreased power to the punches.

In operation. it will be understood that the printing mechanism will beone number ahead of the punching mechanism where a card is to receivecorresponding representations from both mechanisms. This is true becausethe work is printed and punched in separate, sequential steps.

Having described my invention, what I regard as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1.In a machine of the class described, work feeding means, a pluralityof punches, means normally maintaining said punches out of the path ofthe work, punch control means for producing displacement of certainpunchesA from their normal position to a position intersecting the pathof the work, means to actuate each punch, an electromagnet for eachpunch adapted to influence each of said punch actuating means, thewinding of each magnet arranged in circuit with a switch, and rotatingmeans to close each switch in timed relation with the work feedingmeans.

2. In a machine of the class described, work feeding means, a pluralityof punches', means normally maintaining said punches out of the path' ofthe work, electrical punch control means for producing displacement ofcertain punches from their normal position to a position intersectingthe path of the work, means to actuate each.

punch, an electromagnet for each punch adapted to influence each of saidpunch actuating means, the winding of each magnet arranged in circuitwith a switch, and rotating means to selectively close certain of saidswitches, the work feeding means arranged to actuate said rotating meansperiodically.

3. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, meansnormally maintaining said punches out of the path of the work, punchcontrol means for producing displacement of certain punches from theirnormal position to a position intersecting the path of the work, meansto actuate each punch, and an electromagnet for each punch adapted toinfluence each of said punch actuating means, the winding of each magnetarranged in circuit with a switch and rotating cam. means to selectivelyclose a plurality of said circuits.

4. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, meansnormally maintaining them out of the path of the work, punch controlmeans for producing displacement of said punches from their normalposition to a position intersecting the path of said work, and relaymeans for energizing said control means, said relay means comprising aresilient floating punch carrying lever mounted for lvertical movementof each punch, an extension on each lever, an armature mounted adjacentthe end of said lever, and an electromagnet for each punch and adaptedto influence each of said armatures and cause a punch to notch the edgeof a card. s

5. In a machine of the class described, a

` plurality of punches, resilient means normally said work, relay meansfor energizing said control means, said relay means comprising aresilient floating punch carrying lever mounted for vertlcal movement ofeach punch, an extension on each lever, an armature adjacent the endthereof,

` and an electromagnet for each punch adapted punches out of the path ofthe work, punch conf trol means for producing displacement of certain ofsaid punches from their normal position to a position intersecting thepath of said work, relay means for energizing said control means, saidrelay means comprising a resilient floating punch carrying lever mountedfor vertical movement of each punch, an extension on each lever, anarmature adjacent the end thereof, an electromagnet for each punchadapted to iniluence eachI of said armatures, and means toactuatel saidelectromagnets periodically. f

7. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, workfeeding means, resilient means normally biasing said punches out of thepath of the work, electromagnetic punch controlled means for producingdisplacement of said punches from their normal position to a positionintersecting the path of said work, said electromagnetic control meanscomprising a punch actuating lever mounted for vertical movement foreach punch, an armature operatively connected to each lever, anelectromagnet for of 4the path of the work, electromagnetic punch vcontrol means for producing displacement of said punches from theirnormal position to a position intersecting the path of said work, saidelectromagnetic control means comprising a resilient floating punchcarrying lever mounted for vertical movement for each punch, anextension on said lever, an armature mounted adjacent the end thereof,and an electromagnet for each 9, In va machine of the class described,aA4

` plurality of punches,'work feeding means, re-

silient means normally biasing said punches out of the path of the work.electromagnetic punch control means for producing displacement of saidpunches from their normal position to a position intersecting the pathof said work, said electromagnetic control means comprising a resilientpunch carrying lever mounted for vertical movement for each punch, anextension on each lever, an armature mounted adjacent the end thereof,an electromagnet for each punch adapted to iniiuence each of saidarmatures, a circuit for each electromagnet, a switch in said circuitoperated magnetic control means comprising a resilient floating punchcarrying lever mounted for vertlcal movement of each punch, an extensionon said lever, an armature mountedadjacent the end thereof, anelectromagnet for each punch adapted to influence the said armatures, acircuit for said electromagnetic means, a switch in said circuitoperated in timed relation with said work feeding means, and cam meansto selectively actuate said electromagnets periodically.

11. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, aresilient floating punch carrying lever mounted for vertical movement ofeach punch, means normally maintaining said punches out of the path ofthe work, fulcrum means for said lever, and an electromagnet arrangedfor exerting force upon each lever for displacement of certain of saidpunches from their normal position to a position intersecting vthe pathof said work` to thereby notch the edge of a card.

12. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of punches, aresilient floating punch carrying lever mounted for vertical `movementfor each punch, resilient means normally maintaining said punches out ofthe path of the work, fulcrum means for said levers, an electromagnetfor each lever arranged to exert a force upon each lever fordisplacement of certain of said punches from then-normal position to aposition intersecting the path of said work to thereby notch the edge ofa card, an electric circuit for each magnet, a switch in each circuit toenergize said magnets, and rotating means to selectively .close saidswitches.

13. In a machine of the class described, work feeding means, a pluralityof punches, a resilient floating punch carrying lever, mounted forvertical movement of each punch, resilient means normally maintainingsaid punches out of the path of the work, fulcrum means for said levers,an electromagnet for each lever, an electric circuit for eachelectromagnet arranged to exert a force upon each lever for displacementof certain of said punches from their normal position to a positionintersecting the path of said work to thereby notch the edge of a card,a switch in said circuit to energize said magnets, and rotating means toselectively close said switch periodically in timed relation with saidwork feeding means.

THOMAS COLEMAN ANDREWS.

